CLICK BUTTONS TO GO TO PAGE Put onLove. Strive for Holiness. 40 Daysfor Life, SpiritualAdoption Gift ofLife(GOL)Topic ofthe Month By: HenriNouwen LOVE HENRI (Letters ontheSpiritualLife) Book oftheMonth (from Catholic Online Prayers) Prayer for Holiness Prayer oftheMonth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoBg BE NOT AFRAID Song oftheMonth St Louise deMarillac Saint oftheMonth STRIVE FORHOLINESS; PUT ONLOVE Household Discussion STRIVE FORHOLINESS; PUT ONLOVE Household Teachings oftheMonth

MARCH 2021 MARCH ROH 57 March 2021 2

ROH March 2021 CFC THEME 2021: “Strive for Holiness. Love.

Dear CFC USA Family, Greetings to all!

2021 marks a special time in the History of Couples for Christ. This year we celebrate 40 years as a people of God. If we look closely at the significance of 40, a beautiful picture emerges- at the end of trials or hardships, a grand milestone occurs. One great story is found in scriptures. After 40 years of wandering in the dessert, the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and experienced God’s wonders.

Since 1981, the Holy Spirit has inspired and guided our community and entrusted to us the great commission. It is amazing how God has put His plan into action and fruition. The Lord inspired great men and women among us, who through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, established CFC in all 4 corners of the world. After 4 decades, they brought CFC to 127 countries. What a wonderful affirmation from God!

Then, on the eve of our 40th anniversary, Covid19 happened. The Pandemic brought major shift to our life and mission as a community. Because of lockdown and social distancing, we have been conducting our activities in different multimedia platforms. With this as our backdrop, let us take a look at how God is preparing us for this new landscape of the future.

Our ROH Teaching for this month is our CFC theme for 2021: “STRIVE FOR HOLINESS; PUT ON LOVE.” Our theme this year is a continuation of God’s call for us to be holy. I invite you to spend time to read and reflect on our ROH offering this month. May the Holy Spirit grant us the grace to be able to live out God’s message for us.

To God be the Glory! In Christ, Chodie Cayanan March 2021 3 TEACHING OF THE MONTH Strive for Holiness; Put On Love

I: INTRODUCTION 40 years ago, in June 1981, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Vic Gutierrez with the guidance of Fr Herb Schneider, led 16 couples in making their covenant to Couples for Christ. CFC started as a family life outreach ministry of the Ligaya ng Panginoon community.

Number 40 is a significant milestone, in our culture as well as in Scriptures. When we think of the number 40, we think about the Israelites who survived 40 years of hardship in the desert before entering the Promise Land. If we look back at our history as a community, we too, have gone through experiences, comparable to those of the Israelites.

1. The Israelites escaped from the bondage of slavery. When we joined CFC, we experienced a similar freedom but from a different bondage: the bondage of SIN. We have experienced repentance and conversion. We have seen how forgiveness heals deep wounds. Our relationship with others in community taught us the meaning of forbearance, how to die to self and to let go and let God. This is freedom from bondage of sin and the chaos it brings to our lives. March 2021 4 2. For the Israelites, the desert was the place of their human struggle to find God. Our journey in CFC is where we understood what it meant to know, love and serve God.

3. The Israelites rebelled against God. They complained about a lot of things… about food, about their leaders and even about Moses. Despite the rebellious behavior of the Israelites, God continued to provide them with manna from heaven. We too, despite the many times we failed God, have been nourished and sustained with His many graces and favors.

II: GOD SHOWED GREAT WONDERS TO CFC 2020 was the year God specifically called CFC to holiness! On the eve of our 40th year, God further amplified His call. He expanded His direction- “Strive for Holiness; Put on Love” taken from the Book of Joshua and the Colossians.

After 40 years in the desert, the Israelites began preparing to cross the River Jordan to settle in the Promise Land. Joshua said to his people… “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform wonders among you.”

Just like the Israelites, GOD is leading us to great wonders. We have before us today something great and wonderful. In the first few months of the Pandemic, we were anxious, worried and afraid. We looked to the heavens for help and intensified our prayers. And in the midst of our sufferings, God showed great wonders among us, in our personal life, family life as well as in our community life.

The Pandemic has opened our eyes to our shortcomings and limitations. We started to realize the need to deepen our relationship with God. Personal holiness became the focus of our everyday life. Lockdown brought us closer and we learned that the most essential thing in life is our family. COVID-19 was able to fulfill our mission—that of building the church of the home. The Pandemic unleashed the resilience of Community. It did not March 2021 5 deter us from our work in Evangelization. CFC USA is very relevant in bringing all families and communities together to respond to their needs, whether they are members of CFC or not. Communities came together as an authentic expression of love of God—loving and serving others, making sure that no one among brethren was in need. COVID-19 in a way is showing us how to fulfill our mission—that of building the church of the poor among us.

GOD has indeed given us a foretaste of “great wonders” in our midst.

III: THE PROMISE LAND

On the eve on our 40th anniversary, just like the Israelites, we ask? What is this place which God set for us? For the Israelites, the Promise Land was a place where they could live free from slavery and oppression. A land flowing with milk and honey. For CFC- God points us to the Promise Land too.

What is the promise Land for CFC? ; GOD’S REST!

What does God’s rest mean? God’s rest does not mean rest and relaxation. It is not a rest from work, it is REST IN THE WORK! Rest in the work is partnering with God. We are to do, what He is calling us to do, by His grace, and leaving the part which we cannot do- in the Lord’s hands. God beckons- “Come follow me, and I will give you REST!

GOD’S REST enables us to go about doing the things in our daily life- working, toiling, tending, serving- knowing fully well that whatever happens… GOD is in control! GOD’S REST is a state of profound peace, which the Lord gives to those who love and obey Him, regardless of any circumstance. It is a place of inner peace and interior freedom.

What is inner peace? It is a kind of peace that allows us to be in a state of being tranquil and unperturbed at all times, whether we are in the midst of great trial or joy. A kind of rest that calms our fears and gives us a sense of stability to face the future with confidence, regardless of March 2021 6 what is happening around us. “Be not afraid… I go before you always! “says the Lord. Inner peace brings forth interior freedom.

What is interior freedom? It is when one finds the grace to do, what seems impossible, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient. All these years, though we follow and serve Christ, honestly speaking, for most of us… we have been doing it our own way.

When we face challenges and difficulties, we try to figure out, how things should work out. Though we pray to God to guide us, if we think about it… how many of our decisions are actually based ’s will for us? HENCE, we often find ourselves overwhelmed, frustrated and at times even feel burned out with our mission to evangelize others.

We are partners with God in His mission. We have a part and God has a part in all of the things, He wants us to do. But what is the reality for us? Most of the time, not only do we do our part of the work… we also try to do God’s part of the work as well. God is highlighting what He has been offering us… all these years- GOD’S REST. GOD’S PEACE!

Why? Because the landscape of the future has changed. What used to be normal to us will no longer be normal. The reality for us in community, is that the life and mission of CFC most likely will no longer be the same as it used to be. We face a future with uncertainty, with fear and anxiety. We need the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. More importantly- we need the gift of GOD’S REST! With INNER PEACE, we will not be afraid to serve.

We have before us, the Promise Land which entails a lifestyle where one is never rattled by any circumstance in life. Where we are interiorly free to follow God and serve Him with all our mind, with all our heart and all our strength.

YES, the world will be different, and God is calling upon us to look to the future. We cannot just surge forward. We need the mind of GOD. We need to prepare, and the Pandemic is a training ground for all of us. How do we prepare ourselves? March 2021 7 IV: GOD’s CALL FOR CFC God clearly teaches us through our THEME FOR 2021: STRIVE FOR HOLINESS. PUT ON LOVE

1. Strive for Holiness (Joshua 3:5) “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform wonders among you. “What does it mean to sanctify ourselves? To sanctify is to make clean; to live holy lives; a people set apart. To set ourselves apart, is to be wholly usable for God. Our language, actions and thoughts should reflect Christ.

We all know that to be holy is difficult. BUT we do not give up, just because it is so. That is why we are called upon the Lord, at all times, to STRIVE TO BE HOLY, with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

2. Put on love (Colossians 3:14) “And over all these, put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” What a beautiful and noteworthy statement from St Paul! “Put on” is a phrase translated from the Greek word ‘enduo,’ which is defined as the act of putting on a garment or a piece of clothing.

It is remarkable to put on these great virtues- compassion, forbearance, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and the like. BUT… St Paul exhorts us to PUT ON LOVE- above all virtues. WHY? Because Love is the summary of everything. Love perfectly fulfills what God requires of us in our relationship with others. If we truly pursue love, all the other great virtues follow. Love surpasses all other attitudes.

Why do we need to put on love?

Because love is the tie that binds us to God. Love is the tie that binds us to each other. If we put on God’s love… we put on love for others. That IS why it is called the BOND OF PERFECTION. LOVE is what binds Christians together as ONE!

If we look at the bible, what does it contain? Set of rules. If we look at our marriage- we have a set of rules. In CFC we have a set of rules- it is found in our Covenant card. BUT… if we put on love, our perspective March 2021 8 changes. The bible becomes alive, its rules give meaning and purpose in our life. It is the same with marriage- if we put on love- vows become our lifetime commitment. Our way of life. If we put on love our Covenant card becomes our lifestyle. This is our path to holiness!

If we seek to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength… loving others will follow naturally. That is why prayer is important. It is the key that unlocks all doors. In moments of prayer, we get to know the Lord up close and personal. It is in deep moments of solitude that we learn to fall in love with Him. Out of our love for God, we live holy lives. Out of our love for God we love others.

This is the essence of God’s call for us… “STRIVE FOR HOLINESS; PUT ON LOVE”

V: CONCLUSION The time had finally come for the Israelites to cross into the land that God had promised them. Every Israelite over twenty years of age when they left Egypt under Moses’ leadership was now dead, except for three people: Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. All the others had died without realizing their cherished blessing.

Why? What caused those Israelites who left Egypt by God’s power to lose their privilege of setting foot upon the promised land? The simple answer- the Israelites sinned against God. Sin is the greatest obstacle to our union with God!

GOD HAS SPOKEN CLEARLY STRIVE FOR HOLINESS; PUT ON LOVE” •Are you willing to let go of your habits of sin for the love of God? •Are you ready to commit to strive to be holy in everything you do? •Are you prepared to put on love above all else? •Are you set to continue with our mission as God’s evangelizers? Let us go hand in hand to the Promise Land. We are Couples for Christ commissioned by God as “Families in the Holy Spirit” to renew the face of the earth. GOD IS CALLING US… “COME FOLLOW ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST!” March 2021 9 HOUSEHOLD DISCUSSION Strive for Holiness; Put On Love

• What are the top lessons you learned from this teaching? • What are the things which hinder you from living out these lessons, especially during the Pandemic? • What can you do to overcome these obstacles? • How can you apply these lessons in your daily life?

SAINT OF THE MONTH St Louise de Marillac FEAST DAY: March 15 Born probably at Ferrieres-en-Brie near Meux, France, on August 12, 1591. She was educated by the Dominican nuns at Poissy. She desired to become a nun but on the advice of her confessor, she married Antony LeGras, an official in the Queen’s service, in 1613.

After Antony’s death in 1625, she met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. She devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct his Ladies of Charity in their work of caring for the March 2021 10 sick, the poor, and the neglected. In 1633 she set up a training center, of which she was Directress in her own home, for candidates seeking to help in her work.

This was the beginning of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (though it was not formally approved until 1655). She took her vows in 1634 and attracted great numbers of candidates. She wrote a rule for the community, and in 1642, Vincent allowed four of the members to take vows. Formal approval placed the community under Vincent and his Congregation of the Missions, with Louise as Superior. She traveled all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions.

By the time of her death in Paris on March 15, the Congregation had more than forty houses in France. Since then, they have spread all over the world. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934 and was declared Patroness of Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960. Her feast day is March 15th. March 2021 11

SONG OF THE MONTH Be Not Afraid St. Louis Jesuits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoB

You shall cross the barrenn desert But you shall not die of thirst You shall wander far in safety Though you do not know the way You shall speak your words to foreign men And they will understand You shall see the face of God and live

Be not afraid I go before you always Come, follow me and I will give you rest If you pass through raging waters in the sea You shall not drown If you walk amid the burning flames You shall not be harmed If you stand before the power of hell And death is at your side Know that I am with you through it all

Be not afraid I go before you always Come, follow me and I will give you rest And blessed are your poor For the kingdom shall be theirs Blest are you that weep and mourn March 2021 12 For one day you shall laugh And if wicked men insult and hate you All because of me Blessed, blessed are you

Be not afraid I go before you always Come, follow me and I will give you rest SOURCE: MUSIXMATCH : S.J. / BOB DUFFORD

PRAYER OF THE MONTH: Prayer for Holiness (Catholic Online Prayers)

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen.

BOOK OF THE MONTH LOVE HENRI (Letters on the Spiritual Life) By: Henri Nouwen

Over the course of his life, Henri Nouwen wrote thousands of letters to friends, acquaintances, parishioners, students, and readers of his work all around the world. He corresponded in English, Dutch, German, French, and Spanish, and took great care to store and archive the letters decade after decade. He believed that a thoughtful letter written in love could truly change someone’s life. Many people looked to Nouwen as a long distance spiritual advisor. March 2021 13 Love, Henri consists of over a hundred letters that stretch from the earliest years of Henri’s career up through his last 10 years at L’Arche Daybreak. Rich in spiritual insights the letters highlight a number themes that emerged in both Henri’s work over the years, including vocation, solitude, prayer, suffering, and perseverance in difficult times. These deeply spiritual letters, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, ulimately demonstrate the rich value of communicating with God through others.

GIFT OF LIFE TOPIC 40 Days For Life + Spiritual Adoption

As we continue to respond to the call as families in the Holy Spirit, we believe that every human life at every stage (from conception to natu- ral death) and in every situation is precious, sacred and created in the image and likeness of God., let us support the 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign 2021.

Feb 17 – Mar 28 Locations are available www.40daysforlife.com or contact your respective parishes. March 2021 14 40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.

The visible, public centerpiece of 40 Days for Life is a focused, 40- day, non-stop, round-the-clock prayer vigil outside a single Planned Parenthood center or other abortion facility in your community.

It is a peaceful and educational presence. Those who are called to stand witness during this 24-hour-a-day presence send a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who work at the abortion center and those who patronize the facility. If you do not have an abortion facility or Planned Parenthood office in your town, you can still conduct 40 Days for Life; however, you will need to select a different location which has some strategic significance - perhaps near city hall, a courthouse, or a highly visible intersection.

https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/about-overview.aspx

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

Over 30 years ago, a court decision was rendered which legalized abortion throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. To help stop the anti-life push around the world, the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen encouraged the spiritual adoption of an unborn child. This is done by praying for that particular but unknown child’s life be spared abortion and be allowed to continue to live.

What is the Spiritual Adoption Program? The Purpose of the Spiritual Adoption Program is threefold: 1 Encourage prayers for babies in danger of abortion. 2 Educate about the development of the pre-born child. 3 Provide mothers in need with assistance at a “baby shower” of donated baby gifts, or simply celebrate with a “birthday party” at the conclusion of the program. March 2021 15 How does it work?

It’s simple. Participants pledge to pray for nine months for a baby in danger of abortion, and to follow the baby along his/her path to being born. While this child will remain unknown to his or her ”spiritual parent,” God knows who the child is. Many people have found that naming “their child” helps keep them focused on the reality that their prayers are helping to save a particular baby from the harm of abortion. Adoptive Baby’s Name: Adoption Date:

At the end of nine months, during household or chapter Christmas Celebrations, a “baby shower” or “birthday party” may be held and gifts of baby items may be donated to a local pregnancy center.

Suggested Prayer (Everyday for nine months)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of [baby’s name] the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.

—PRAYER OF ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN

Your prayers can make a difference between whether a baby will be born or aborted. Our prayers can also be a form of spiritual support for both of the parents. Please share the love of life given to you by the Lord of all life and join in spiritually adopting a baby.

Source: http://spiritualadoption.org/